PART THREE - Specification - Engine
Of course, it is odd that a respected and proud agricultural, industrial and
marine engine manufacturer would choose an outside engine make for the KX-B
mower - the Villiers 147cc Lightweight 4-Stroke. Why not Southern Cross's own
EC-B 150cc engine?

[Linked Image]

Rob Laurent says, in his splendid book, that the EC-B engine suffered from being
too heavy (many cast iron components) and too expensive in manufacture.

We should also consider that the Foundry only made about 5000 mowers in total!

The KX-B was intended in Standard form to be a less expensive machine. Part of that
goal was achieved by fitting the Villiers unit. I have written about this engine
previously because a few Australian manufacturers used this engine [see Related Links].

Bob Laurent's anecdotal evidence is telling: "This was a new model engine made
by the Villiers plant in Ballarat, Victoria. It proved to be a troublesome engine
that gave Southern Cross mowers a bad name."

TO BE CONTINUED ...